Former President George H.W. Bush is in good spirits Thursday after falling and breaking a bone in his neck Wednesday night, according to Dr. William D'Angelo, neurosurgeon at Maine Medical Center and attending physician.
"He's tough," D'Angelo said. "He can take it."
Dr. D'Angelo said the former president, 91, is up, out of bed and talking with his family — wife, Barbara Bush, and daughter, Dorothy Bush Koch.
"It takes a lot more than this to knock his spirits down," D'Angelo said, quoting the former first lady.
Bush's spokesman Jim McGrath also quoted Barbara on Twitter, stating that a slip and fall can't take out the former president.
Bush fractured his C2 vertebrae in the top of his neck at his Maine summer home but is expected to make a full recovery after completing necessary physical therapy.
Bush uses a wheelchair because he has Parkinson's disease, and "in general, Parkinson's can create less mobility and balance," D'Angelo said.
The 41st president be wearing an Aspen collar initially and then switch to an extended brace to give him more stability, according to D'Angelo.
D'Angelo also said the standard recovery period for this type of injury usually takes three to four months.
Known for his daring stunts, Bush celebrated his 90th birthday with a skydiving adventure.
When asked if this injury could hinder any future stunts, D'Angelo responded, "I hope not."
